Students/Alumni

Auditions

BA/BFA Dance Entrance Auditions

Application Forms: All applicants to the BA and BFA Dance degree program must complete an online audition application form by Feb. 13, 2018. Any audition materials received after Feb. 13, 2018 will not be considered (with the exception of video auditions submitted via DVD, which must be received by the Division of Dance by Feb. 18, 2018). Reference letters are not used in the audition process and will not be considered. Transcripts do not accompany the audition form, but must be sent directly from the applicant's institution to the University of Calgary Admissions Office.

Audition: After submitting a general application to the University of Calgary Admissions Office and an audition application form to the Division of Dance, all applicants will be expected to audition, either in-person or by video submission. Auditions are conducted by the BA/BFA Dance Committee and will be held on the University of Calgary campus on March 16 and 17, 2018.

In-Person Audition: The audition takes place over 2 days: Friday, March 16, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All applicants must be prepared to attend both days. The audition includes technique classes (contemporary and jazz), structured improvisation, a dance composition assignment, and a short writing assignment. These activities will be performed in groups. Applicants do not need to prepare a solo or any other material, nor bring any music to the audition. Out of town applicants should plan to arrive the night before the first day of auditions.

Video Audition: Applicants who live more than 500 km outside of Calgary, or who cannot otherwise attend the in-person audition will be required to submit a video audition. The material on the audition video should be recent and not exceed 10 minutes in length. The video must include the following:

Part One – Personal Introduction (please use a close-up shot)

1. Your full name; 2. Description of what is included on the video, e.g. the sequence of events, the name of the choreographer.

Part Two – Performance

1. A warm-up sequence: a. In the center: pliés; tendu or dégagé phrase; développé or grand battement phrase; leg swings; roll down and up the spine in profile; b. Across the floor: walking; progressing from standing to the floor and back up in three unique ways across the floor; leaps.

2. A movement sequence that shows your ability to move through space using weight change, level change, and direction changes.

Format: Video Auditions may be submitted as Vimeo or YouTube links in your application, or as a DVD mailed to the SCPA. Additional details on video requirements and options for submission can be found here.

Clothing Requirements for In-Person and Video Auditions: Please wear close-fitting dance clothes to allow the jury to see full body movement; no sweats or baggy clothing. Contemporary Class is danced barefoot; jazz shoes for jazz class are optional. Hair should be tied back, and jewelry should be removed.

Parent Participation: Parents are invited to stay for the preliminary sign-in and for the welcome at the beginning of the audition, but are not able to stay for the audition. Parents are invited to return to attend the question and answer period at the end of the day.

Level of Expertise: Some previous dance training is expected in order to be accepted as a BA/BFA Dance student at the University of Calgary. Beginner dancers are encouraged to take 200-level non-major dance courses at the University of Calgary before auditioning, or seek quality dance training elsewhere. Training in contemporary dance is helpful but not expected of audition applicants.

Information:For further information about the audition or the program please contact the Undergraduate Program Administrator, Jennifer Perrott (danceug@ucalgary.ca).

Bachelor of Music Entrance Auditions

Application Forms: After submitting a general application to the University of Calgary Admissions Office, students must submit aBMus audition application form to assist us in scheduling you in for an audition, as well as informing the division on your past musical experience/abilities. Reference letters are not required.

Auditions:

Auditions occur on March 2, 5, 6, 2018 at the Eckhardt-Grammatte Hall on the University of Calgary campus. Please note specific times will be assigned after the application deadline passes, but you will be able to see which day your instrument is planned for in the application.

Students are assessed on technique, performance, talent, potential, and musicality during their audition. In addition to repertoire performance, both sight-reading and scale playing may be included as part of the audition. Please review the audition repertoire suggestions for additional details.

Pianists and vocalists should be prepared to perform repertoire at the RCM Grade X level. All others should be prepared to perform repertoire at the RCM Grade VIII level. Students who have not reached the Grade VIII level but who have a serious interest in a career in music are encouraged to apply and to audition at the level of performance they have reached.

Accompanists: An accompanist will not be provided; you are encouraged to supply your own accompanist. If this is not possible please contact one of the accompanists listed on the audition repertoire suggestions at least two weeks prior to the audition.

Applicants living more than 150 km from Calgary may submit a video audition. Video auditions may be submitted as Vimeo or YouTube links in your application, or as a DVD mailed to the SCPA. Additional details on video audition requirements and options for submission can be found here. If a video audition is submitted, the student may be required to perform a live audition upon arrival.

All application documents for in-person and video auditions must be submitted online by Feb. 20, 2018. (DVD audition videos must arrive at the Division of Music by Feb. 27, 2018).

Each applicant will be notified by email with the exact day, time and location of their audition shortly after the application deadline.

Please review additional information available in our FAQs. If you still have questions, please email musicug@ucalgary.ca.

Theory Requirements for All Music Students

Students applying to any Music program must provide proof of completion of Level 8 Theory from the Royal Conservatory (ABRSM Level 5 will also be accepted). If you are applying for the BMus program, a photocopy of the examination certificate should be submitted with the BMus audition application form. If you are applying to the BA Music program, please email a copy of your certificate to musicug@ucalgary.ca and provide your name and UCID number.

Students who do not have this documentation or who have not taken any formal examinations will be required to do a music theory diagnostic exam on the day of the entrance auditions.An exam will also be scheduled during the Fall block week (Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 at noon Room TBA). If you would like to take the examination, please email musicug@ucalgary.ca and provide your name, your UCID number, and which date you would like to write the exam.

A good book to assist with your preparation is Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka. It is available in the Taylor Family Digital Library. If you are in Calgary and would like to work with a tutor to prepare you for the exam, please contact the Music Undergraduate Society at undmusic@ucalgary.ca

The last method of satisfying the requirement is the completion of the course MUSI 209 "Introduction to Music Theory", it is offered in the Summer 2017. *Please note that this course often fills up quickly*.

Students who have not completed the theory requirement prior to September will not be able to take required courses MUSI 211 or 225.

Course Auditions

Fall semester courses: All students will be required to audition for dance technique courses scheduled for the Fall semester.

Winter semester courses: Students will not have to audition if they have taken the prerequisite course in the Fall semester immediately preceding the current Winter term (e.g. if you completed DNCE 321 in the Fall 2017 semester, then you will not have to audition for DNCE 323 in the Winter 2018 semester).

These technique courses are designed for BA/BFA Dance majors. For non-majors who wish to take advanced-level technique courses, you must attend the first day(s) of class and perform a group audition. If you are successful, you will be notified by the division and granted permission to register.

DRAM 301/302 and 400 (Senior Level Acting Courses)

Senior level acting classes (DRAM 301/302 and 400) do require an audition, which are held in April.

To audition:

Sign up at the Undergraduate Program Admin's desk in the SCPA office (CHD100)

Pick up information hand out and an audition form

Read the information hand out

Hand in Statement of Intent, photo (for DRAM 301/302 and transfer students only) and audition form.

The auditions are open to students who have completed the previous level of acting, and require both solo and group work. Results are issued shortly after and access is opened for registration by the Undergraduate Program Administrator.

Please note that there will be no fall auditions.

DRAM 371 and 471 (Playwriting Courses)

DRAM 371: Interested students who do not have the prerequisites for the course may submit a portfolio application to the Instructor. The deadline is mid-August.DRAM 471: All interested students will submit a portfolio application to the Instructor. The deadline is mid-December. (Please note this course is not offered in 2017-2018)

Portfolios should include:

Writing Samples (no more than 15 pages) – something related to drama is preferred, but prose fiction, poetry, and essays will also be accepted

Letter of Intent expressing what writing experience you may have and why you are interested in studying playwriting

Dance @ Night

Auditions for Dance @ Night take place in September. More information will follow soon.

Drama

STAGE MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Metamorphoses, Conduct, Alchemy and Why?

To apply for Stage Manager positions on the above productions and festival (see dates below), please provide a cover letter and cv to April Viczko at aaviczko@ucalgary.ca by Sept. 5th. Your cover letter should include a compelling statement about why you would like to stage manage the given production, any commitments that conflict with dates below, and what YOUR learning goals are for the experience.

PRACTICUM OPPORTUNITIES

inVISIBLE:

(a Drama partnership with Handsome Alice Theatre in the Matthews)

Rehearsal/Performance Dates: Oct. 7th to Oct. 21st

Assistant Stage Manager

Metamorphoses:

Rehearsal Start: Sept. 14th

Tech/Performance Dates: Nov. 20th to Dec. 2nd

Sound Designer

Composer

LX operator

Sound operator

Projection operator

Wardrobe running crew

Head of Wardrobe Running

LX Focus Crew

Assistant Production Manager

Conduct: Assistant Designers (Props, Costume, and Sound) Various other production departments

Alchemy

Performance Dates: March 22nd to April 11th

Assistant Stage Managers

Dramaturges

Head of Running Crew

Production Stage Manager

Heads of Production Dept.

Why?

Performance Date: May 25th to June 2nd

Assistant Stage Managers

Running Crew (all departments)

Build Crew (all departments)

Notes on Practicums:

The above lists are not exhaustive. If you have an idea for a practicum and would like to discuss it with a faculty member or production staff member, PLEASE DO!

AUDITION NOTICES

Metamorphoses

Drama Division Mainstage Production

Director: Haysam Kadri

Sept. 11th 2pm to 10pm location: TBA on the callboard; you will need to sign up

Rehearsal Start: Sept. 14th

Tech/Performance Dates: Nov. 20th to Dec. 2nd

Copies of the script available for loan from Troy at the main office (CHD100).

Please prepare one classical monologue and one contemporary monologue. No more than 2 minutes each. Please also reserve 45 minutes of time for this audition. You may be asked to cold read from the script.

Conduct

Drama Division Mainstage Production

Director: Bruce Barton

First Auditions: Friday, Oct. 6and Saturday, Oct. 7.

Callbacks: Sunday, Oct. 15.

Rehearsals for Conduct will run Dec. 9 – 21 and Jan. 2 – 28. Students will not be required to attend rehearsal every day during the Dec. rehearsal period; accommodations will be made during the formal examination period.

Technical rehearsals will run Jan. 29 – Feb. 8.

Performances begin Feb. 9.

Notes:

1) Students from all three divisions of the SCPA (Drama, Dance and Music) are invited to audition for the 2018 mainstage production of Conduct.

2) Participation in the 2017 Taking Flight production of Conduct is not a pre-requisite for participation in the 2018 mainstage production. Nor does 2017 participation guarantee participation in 2018.

3) Students enrolled in the Fall semester of DRAM 460 (taught by Bruce Barton) will draw on Conduct source material as part of the course activities, and students enrolled in DRAM 460 who then participate in Conduct may draw on some of the performance material generated in the course. But enrollment in DRAM 460 is NOT a pre-requisite for participation in Conduct and participation in Conduct is NOT a pre-requisite for enrollment in DRAM 460. Students can take DRAM 460 without participating in Conduct; similarly, students can participate in Conduct without having taken DRAM 460.

4) Students interested in participating in Conduct may also attend the regular class meetingsof the Fall semester of DRAM 460 for credit in the form of a 571 Directed Study course. Students interested in this option should speak directly to Dr. Barton.

Auditioning students are asked to prepare:

1) A short contemporary monologue (no more than 3 minutes). Note: this is a requirement for Drama students only; it’s optional for Music and Dance students.

2) A song (any kind). Required of all students.

3) If you play a portable instrument, please be prepared to offer a short musical performance (no more than 3 minutes). A piano will also be made available. Required for Music students; optional for Drama and Dance students.

4) If you dance or are trained in choreographed movement, please be prepared to offer a short physical performance (no more than 3 minutes). There will likely not be a sprung floor in the audition space, so prepare accordingly. Required for Dance students only; optional for Drama and Music students.

Other performance opportunities

ND Theatre is a student run production company that runs many shows a year; their auditions are open to all and are posted on the CHE 004 call board.Their shows run at lunch time and are a great way to get more experience.

Directing Student pieces (411/413/511/513/610)

There are always student directors looking for actors for their scenes. These scenes offer a wide variety of styles and are usually smaller time commitments.Auditions are posted as needed on the CHE 004 call boards.

DRAM 511- Directing II

Directing II is a continuation of the theories and techniques of Directing I with an emphasis on the practical application of working with text andactors. For this course, you will be expected to dedicate considerable time to outside rehearsal, as well as securing commitments from fellow students toact in your scenes.

To apply to the course, please submit the texts of three (3), two-hander scenes (no more than five minutes each) identifying the play and theplaywright. You are welcome to select a scene from any genre, though I encourage you to submit a variety (i.e not all Jacobean tragedy!) and at least one shouldbe Canadian contemporary. With each scene, you should briefly describe what interests you in the scene (or play) and what your approach might be ie: eitherconceptually or through style/ tone, or simply if there are particular opportunities/challenges within the piece that interest you. No more than 200 words foreach scene.

As well, please describe what you think your strengths are as an artist, theatre maker or director and what are your weaknesses. No more than 300 words.

Please submit your application to CHD 100 to the Undergraduate Program Administrator.

Music

Ensembles

Ensembles auditions take place during the first 2-3 weeks of September, and are run individually by the various directors. Most run in an individual manner in 10 minute slots. The sign-up sheets and detailed requirements are posted on the bulletin boards outside of CHD 100.It should be noted that ensembles are open to the whole campus and auditions are primarily to identify your style, strengths and where you would fit best in the ensemble. More information about the ensembles can be found online. Please contact the director for specific repertoire questions.